Arranging a 4-part Chorale
For Middle School String Orchestra
Using Finale Notepad
What is it?
Much like a transcription, an arrangement is
merely a re-arranging of a previously
printed piece.
An arrangement retains much of its original
material, but may be performed by a
different group of instruments or voices.
Listen to these arrangements:
 The Art of Fugue, BWV1080 - J.S. Bach
 Organ
 String Quartet
 Brass Quintet
What do you like/dislike about each arrangement?
What was similar/different about each?
A More Up-to-date Example
 How Sweet it is (to be Loved by You)
 Marvin Gaye
 Michael McDonald
 Michael Buble
What do you like or dislike about these three?
What did you hear different in each one?
How do I do this?
1.
2.
3.
Open Finale Notepad
In the title field, type “Nearer my God”
Under Composer, type “arr. Yourname”
4.
5.
Select your instruments: Violin, Violin II, Cello and Bass
Select the proper key and time signature.
Then What?
 Using your printout of the hymn, begin to
transfer the notes onto different instrument
parts.
 A good way to start is to transfer the voice
parts to appropriate instruments




Soprano = Violin I
Alto = Violin II
Tenor = Cello
Bass = Contrabass
In case you are not sure, the voices are separated by the direction in
which the stems point (ex: soprano - stems up, alto - stems down).
I’m finished, now what?
1. Using the key
signature tool,
change the key of the
piece into a more
familiar key. (G,D, A)
2. Using the Instrument
Range Worksheet,
make sure that all of
the notes are within
the range of the
instruments (Edit)
 Add Dynamic,
articulation and
expressive markings
 Slurs, bowings,
dynamics, phrase
markings…
 Make Sure to Save
your Work!
The End?
 Once you are finished and have saved your
work, have another student review your
work.
 Do the ranges work?
 Does it sound right?
 Are there proper markings?
 Print the parts, and Play the piece!